Finnish Children’s Classics From Abroad: How Translations Also Keep the Books in Print
24 July 2023
Finnish Children’s Classics From Abroad: How Translations Also Keep the Books in Print
R&B represents some of the most beloved classics in Finnish children’s literature which include books by Oili Tanninen, Mauri Kunnas and Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin. While published decades ago, they are still in print and translated, particularly as some of these works are relaunched in Finland and abroad.
Not only have the authors gained wider audiences, publishing houses abroad get a great variety of works through Finnish children’s books.
Here are some great examples of translated editions of classics from R&B’s catalogue, published in the past couple of years, along with little information about the books.
Hippu : French translation
La Partie, France, translated by Johanna Kuningas
Oili Tanninen’s work is among the oldest that R&B represents. The delightful, boldly coloured Hippu was published in 1967! This means 56 years ago, and this story of Hippu the mouse adopting a dog called Heppu is still in print in Finland and abroad. After seven years, Hippu is published in its original hardback format in French, originally coming out as a board book. Tanninen’s quotidian approach to storytelling can be appreciated through her simple use of red, black and white, which makes her work charmingly distinctive. Along French, Hippu has also been translated to English, Swedish, and Italian.
Bobble and Pompom : English translation
Boxer Books, UK, translated by Emily Jeremiah
Bobble and Pompom, a wintery little tale, first appeared in 1970 – making it 53 years old this year! This edition by Boxer Books is a bit larger in size than the original published by Otava, and the colours vividly fresh. It also showcases Oili Tanninen’s unique graphic style through the simple use of blue, orange and white. This recently published English translation of two snow friends enjoying winter activities can be enjoyed by both children and adults for the visual aspect. Bobble and Pompom has also been translated to German and French, enjoying a nice revival abroad.
Santa Claus and Twelve Gifts for Santa Claus : Bulgarian translations
Damyan Yakov, Bulgaria, translated by Rositsa Tsvetanova
Santa Claus is one of the most well-known children’s classics in Finland. It’s a cherished story about the mythical character, around whom the end of year mostly surrounds as people excitedly celebrate Christmas. This wonderful tale of how Santa and his little elves prepare for Christmas was published in 1981, meaning 42 years ago! It’s still in print both in Finland and abroad, where people delight in Kunnas’ depiction of old Father Christmas. Santa Claus has been translated to 29 languages, including recently to Thai and Korean!
Twelve Gifts for Santa Claus is Kunnas’ second Christmas book centred around the legendary figure. It was published in 1987, therefore 36 years ago! Twelve Gifts, a great follow-up to Santa Claus, depicts how Little Willie the elf wants to make Santa happy during the twelve days before Christmas. While things don’t go as planned, the little elf still manages to raise the overall Christmas spirit among everyone. Since publication, translation rights have been sold in 18 languages, including recently in Thai and simplified Chinese.
One Spooky Night and Other Scary Stories : Latvian translation
Zvaigzne ABC, Latvia, translated by Anete Kona
Another classic from Kunnas, Spooky Night came out in 1985, so 38 years ago! This clever approach to mythical figures follows creatures from scarier folklore as they’re just going about their day. Kunnas brilliantly combines scary and entertaining in these short tales: one begins when three journalists go to the snowy mountains to look for the Abominable Snowman, and when the dreadful creature approaches, they see it resting to warm its frozen feet! Even a big snowman could use winter shoes, right? Since publication, Spooky Night‘s translation rights have been sold in 9 languages, this Latvian edition being the latest one.
The Wood Mouse’s Dance : German translation
Verlag Urachhaus, Germany, translated by Peter Uhlmann
Surojegin is renowned for her delicate and mesmerizing illustration style. Her art and storytelling are reaching a wider audience as foreign publishers are translating her work. The Wood Mouse’s Dance is a charming classic which follows the titular character who has a bad day for not contributing to mushroom picking but starts to feel better as it begins to follow the movements of leaves and dances along. This book came out in 1990, so 33 years ago! This German edition was a relaunch after 30 years of their original translation. Wood Mouse‘s translation rights have been sold to 7 countries since publication.
Finnish Animal Fables : English translation
Floris Books, UK, translated by Jill Timbers
A beautiful picture book that holds great stories from traditional Finnish animal fables. Born out of Surojegin’s love of nature, this book illustrates a wide-ranging story collection to introduce young readers to Finland’s forest and animals. Through her depiction, it reminds of the importance of forests as spiritual and physical sanctuaries. The warm-hearted stories also humorously present classic characters from Finnish folklore. Published in 1997, this title turns 26 this year! It has been translated to and kept in print in German, Chinese and English, this English edition being sold worldwide.
Untu and the Secret of the Heart of Winter : Simplified Chinese translation
Daylight Publishing House, China, translated by Zhou Li
An atmospheric story of a tiny elfin Untu, who goes on a quest to solve the mystery of the light of Christmas which leads him to the far north, into the scenic forests and mountains of Lapland. Untu’s journey shows the importance of kindness from others, but also challenges for the little elfin, who doesn’t give up. This stunningly illustrated story of resilience came out in 2010, but quite instantly became a contemporary classic for the brilliant collaboration of daughter and mother Nora and Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin. Since publication, translation rights for Untu have been sold in 9 languages, this simplified Chinese edition being one of the latest published.
These classics can be enjoyed during every reading experience. The books are visually fantastic and contain stories that can provide great first reading experiences, entertaining narratives and profound lessons. Older and younger readers abroad can also appreciate the unique approaches of these talented author-illustrators to their stories.
If you are a publisher interested in hearing more about Finnish children’s books for translation, don’t hesitate to contact R&B’s Literary Agents at publishing@rightsandbrands.com.
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